Climate change activists to stage protest at the Queensland Museum

Climate change activists are planning to target a major Queensland museum with a “die-in” that will be staged there, with some dressing in costumes to represent dead animals.

Extinction Rebellion climate change activists lie on the floor as they perform a mass "die in" in the main hall of the Natural History Museum in London on April 22, 2019. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP)

CLIMATE change activists will stage a ‘die-in’ at the Queensland Museum this weekend, with some dressing in costumes to represent dead animals.

More than 200 people have indicated they’ll attend the event, with organisers Extinction Rebellion SEQ warning supporters to dress appropriately for the event.

“Being dead for a bit can get quite chilly so please bring warm clothing. Kids especially welcome,” they wrote on their Facebook page.

Extinction Rebellion SEQ spokesman Tom Howell said the event - to be held on Sunday from 12pm - would involve activists laying on the floor pretending to be dead to draw attention to the potential for mass species extinction.

“Some people will be dressed as animals that are threatened or that are already extinct. Otherwise, it will mostly be families and kids on the floor,” he said.

“It creates quite a scene so we’ll be underneath the giant whale that hangs from the ceiling, and also partly inside the museum near the dinosaur fossils.”

Extinction Rebellion climate change activists perform a mass ‘die in’ under the blue whale in the foyer of the Natural History Museum in London on April 22, 2019. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)

The event will also feature guest speakers including biologists, scientists and conservationists.

“Then we’ll hear from speakers from Extinction Rebellion about what we can do in terms of civil disobedience, taking to the streets and making sure the scientists and engineers that do have the solutions are listened to,” Mr Howell said.

He said this event would only be “minorly disruptive”, and that the organisation had alerted the museum to its plans.

He said it would be similar to a demonstration held by Extinction Rebellion at the Natural History Museum in London last month.

“We’ve been in contact with the (Queensland) museum, and although they can’t outright support it, they were happy that we let them know it was happening and have worked with us to make sure it’s safe and that we don’t block access,” he said.

“But this is the build up to more disruptive and rebellious events in the future.”

SUBSCRIBE TO CITY NORTH NEWS & THE COURIER-MAIL: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

Supporters have also been warned that Extinction Rebellion is a non-violent network, with people travelling from Lismore and the Sunshine Coast for the event.

Mr Howell said Extinction Rebellion had been involved in the halting of coal trains to the Port of Brisbane in April where there were arrests, but that he wasn’t expecting anything similar on the weekend.

“There might be a few little surprise things that happen but nothing that should warrant arrest,” he said.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Museum said they were aware of the group’s impending protest.

“The safety of the museum’s visitors and staff is paramount, and we are working with Queensland Police Service to accommodate this, as well as to ensure there is no risk to our Collections,” she said.

“Extinction Rebellion have recently held a number of protests in public spaces, particularly galleries and museums both globally and in Australia.”